Jayden Daniels’ putrid Commanders problem that will destroy playoff chances in 2026 NFL season
ClutchPoints · Douglas Fritz · 2026-09-04T02:22:59+00:00 · nguồn gốc
It’s all about excitement and enthusiasm for Washington Commanders GM Adam Peters. But the warning signs are there. And here is Jayden Daniels' putrid Commanders problem that will destroy the team's playoff chances in the 2026 NFL season.
It’s the offensive line. But let’s be fair to the Commanders. Laremy Tunsil's injury changed everything. He will probably miss the entire season. That’s something the Commanders could not have envisioned.
However, let’s remember that this is the NFL. And when you bank everything on one guy at such a critical position, left tackle, you’ve opened yourself up to criticism. Sure, the Commanders reportedly swung and missed despite a mighty rip for free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum. But the Commanders have an annoying habit of not trying to fix things outside of the organization when they miss on a premier free agent. It’s like, well, we didn’t get that guy, so let’s just live with what we have.
And what they have is a disaster unit. And it is trying to protect Daniels, a franchise quarterback.
Commanders have the worst offensive line in the NFL
They do, if you listen to Pro Football Focus. And you should. Because PFF is correct.
“Before the injury to left tackle Laremy Tunsil, this was a group set to rank just inside the top 20,” Gordon McGuinness wrote. “But the loss of Tunsil for a significant amount of time is a huge blow to the group. There will be an expectation of some improvement from (right tackle) Josh Conerly Jr. And his 59.9 PFF grade in 2025 was fine for a rookie. But this is a unit that could really struggle if Tunsil misses the full season.”
However, there is talk that even Conerly might not live up to expectations. He’s not worried about it, according to CommandersWire.com. He said the talk about the offensive line as a whole is nothing but noise.
“I think it's a huge misconception because I know how much we work,” Conerly said.
OK. That explanation must mean that the Commanders are somehow working harder than other teams’ defensive lines. And that somehow that extra work will turn the Commanders into a great unit because of the other slackers. Uh, this is the NFL. Everybody is working hard. Hard work might be a tipping point in high school. But when guys are getting paid millions of dollars, they all work hard.
A better excuse from Conerly about the offensive line was this: “I feel like there's only been so much put out there of the (starters) being out there at once,” he said. “You got your three plays, and then you got your little bit of what you guys saw, and how you guys interpret that from the joint practice. But I don't think it necessarily went that way.”
And Conerly said he’s taking things in stride.
“You just having fun with it,” he said. “You know what I am sayin’? We got a great opportunity to play the Eagles and the Cowboys to start it off, and it’s going to be fun.”
Not sure how 0-2 is fun.
What do the Commanders have on the offensive line?
The projected starting five has Brandon Coleman at left tackle, Chris Paul at left guard, Nick Allegretti at center, Sam Cosmi at right guard, and Conerly at right tackle. Allegretti has battled injuries, but it looks like he will be ready for Week 1.
But still, the spin begins near the top of the organization. Pushing this line as competitive is not a good look. But that’s where General Manager Adam Peters appears to plant his 2026 flag, according to Sports Illustrated. It’s almost like, yeah, we lost Tunsil, but look at these guys!
“First, losing LT was a big deal, but very fortunate to have Brandon, who's played a lot of snaps out there at left tackle, and then having Chris to play a lot of snaps there at left guard, like DQ was alluding to, and then the right side,” Peters said. “Those two guys have played a lot of football together.”
And Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is his usual optimistic self, according to Sports Illustrated.
“I loved the amount of work that Sam and Josh on the right side have gotten, and I love the amount of work that Chris and BC have gotten,” Quinn said. “And with Brandon, obviously, Laremy going down, that sucks. And so we're still working through where we're at at center. We're excited to get Nick back into the fold.
“So, I'm excited to see what this week and then into next week bring with Nick and kind of roll in with him and get going from there.”
Quinn also seems to be banking on rookie backup center Matt Gulbin providing depth. But remember, Gulbin is a non-starter on a team with the worst offensive line in football.
“I thought sometimes with the rookies, you see this progress take place,” Quinn said. “ I think I saw — Adam and I were talking about it just over the weekend — like Antonio, and you feel a lift that goes on with it. We're seeing it with Matt in the same way. I love, I feel his strength, Dave, in the pocket. He's not somebody that repeats a lot of mistakes.
“And so, is he going to make some? Hell yeah. That was part of training camp and learning and digging in for it. Same with Sonny or anybody else. To see him not repeat those, that's the sign of a mature player who's making a lot of progress.
“Seeing Matt take an extra look over the last, I don't know, let's call it 10 days or so was definitely something that we had planned to do. And we're pleased with what we've seen and like the progress that he's making. He's a tough competitor, baby.”
Great, a tough competitor on the bench. Nice. Again, that 0-2 thing looks more real by the minute.